Diabetes is a metabolic disorder that affects men and women, and living with diabetes can sometimes feel difficult not only for the person but can affect the whole family’s eating habits. During pregnancy the burden of gestational diabetes is hard as it will not only affect the mother but also her unborn child.

With Ramadan coming up, the Imperial College London Diabetes Centrehas created a brief of Myth busters, tips and misconceptions that as Super Moms we should know to support a healthy lifestyle during Ramadan and the rest of the summer months.

Disclaimer: The information provided here is for educational purposes only and should not be taken as medical advice. Please consult with a medical professional for more information.

1) People with diabetes need to go on a special diet during Ramadan

Myth! The good news is if you are already following a balanced diet, as is recommended for everyone, living with Type 2 diabetes or not, then there is a big chance that you do not have to change the ingredients of your diet. In fact you should eat as you normally do, with the only difference being the time you eat your meals, rather than quantity or type of food consumed.

It is very important that anyone living with Type 1 diabetes understands that they are at a higher risk compared to those with Type 2 diabetes when fasting during the Holy Month of Ramadan.

In general, people living with Type 1 diabetes are strongly advised to not fast during Ramadan.

Anyone living with diabetes should consult their doctor before deciding to fast.

2) It’s ok if I stop taking insulin during Ramadan

Myth. This is a risky misconception. You should never stop your insulin, even during Ramadan, however the dose and times of your insulin injections may change. Check with your doctor.

3) There is no need to wake up for Suhoor

Myth. You shouldn’t underestimate the benefit of Suhoor, especially for people with diabetes.

Long hours without eating increases the risk of Hypoglycaemia (low blood sugar) so try to eat a meal at Suhoor just before sunrise rather than at midnight. This will help to keep your glucose levels more balanced throughout the fast.

4) It is very hot during Ramadan and fasting is very tiring so I can’t do exercise. Is this ok?

Actually, it is good to take some moderate exercise just before you break your fast at Iftar, and again just before going to bed, as well as right before Suhoor.

It will be quite warm during Ramadan this year and outdoor exercise might not always be the best option, so try including indoor activities like climbing the stairs indoors. Start slowly and gradually with two flights at a time and refrain from pushing yourself too hard during the first few days.

If you decide to pop out to a mall in the evening, park farther away from the entrance, walk the extra distance, and also enjoy a brisk walk around the mall walkways before your embark on your seasonal shopping!

5) It’s ok to fast while living with diabetes during pregnancy

Myth. This is a risky misconception. Pregnant women are advised not to fast, on medical grounds.

However, some still prefer to fast and if diabetes (including gestational diabetes) is also present, this is considered a high-risk scenario that requires special care during the fasting period.

For example, pregnancy involves a state of increased insensitivity to insulin and insulin secretion. During fasting, blood glucose levels are generally lower but after a meal, glucose and insulin levels remain substantially higher in healthy pregnant women than in women who are not pregnant.

Also, elevated blood glucose levels during pregnancy may be associated with increased risk for major congenital abnormalities.

It should also be remembered that the issues concerning the management of Type 1 diabetes and Type 2 diabetes also apply to pregnant women, along with more frequent monitoring and insulin dose adjustment, under the guidance of a doctor.

6) People with diabetes don’t need to make any special considerations for Ramadan fasting

Myth. Anyone with diabetes must carefully consider their Ramadan fasting prior to starting. Your ability to fast safely depends on what type of diabetes you have and what medication you might be taking.

During fasting, about eight hours after the last meal our bodies start to make use of energy stores to keep blood glucose (sugar) levels normal. For most people, this is not harmful.

However, a problem can occur if you are living with diabetes, such as the risk of high glucose levels following the larger meals that we eat before and after fasting at Suhoor and Iftar.

A lot depends on how well your diabetes is controlled, especially if you’re prone to either frequent high blood sugar levels (Hyperglycaemia), or low blood sugar levels (Hypoglycaemia).

If you are living with Type 2 diabetes, generally it is safe to fast during Ramadan, but this may not be so for everyone living with Type 2, so it is important that you speak with your doctor about your plans. This way you can be sure to include your doctor’s advice to help ensure your good health while fasting.

Be mindful that your ability to fast safely often depends on your prescribed medication, and therefore it is important for you and your doctor to assess your medication program before the start of Ramadan and/or your fast. Your doctor will guide you to create a fasting plan which works for you.

Information Credits: Imperial College London Diabetes Centre holds the Joint Commission International (JCI) Clinical Care Program Certification (CCPC) in Diabetes Management and JCI Accreditation for Ambulatory Care, awarded in 2010 and again in 2013. The 2010 award made Imperial College London Diabetes Centre the only healthcare provider worldwide to hold both certifications and the first facility in the Middle East and third globally to hold JCI’s highly-acclaimed CCPC specifically for the clinical management of diabetes.

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Princes & Princesses, Queens & Kings We Miss You All So Much !
We have lived very happy moments with EACH and EVERY one of you and especially YOUR KIDS, we feel the need to REUNITE to create more memories !

75 minutes of the very best moments created on stage in Petit Château with ALL your best friends & the funny crazy guy who made all the Fun happen: " ELIE EL HAJJ " accompanied by the lovely Fun+1 and Petit Château Teams .

Tickets available at Librairie Antoine all branches or online on the following link www.antoineticketing.com

. Invite 2 of your friends and get the group discount ( 15% )
. Share your Happy moment ( picture of video ) at Petit Château in the discussion below, invite your friends to like it and the winner of the most liked post will be inviting 15 lucky amigos to any session chosen ( Results on the 28th of August )

Princes & Princesses, Queens & Kings We Miss You All So Much !
We have lived very happy moments with EACH and EVERY one of you and especially YOUR KIDS, we feel the need to REUNITE to create more memories !

75 minutes of the very best moments created on stage in Petit Château with ALL your best friends & the funny crazy guy who made all the Fun happen: " ELIE EL HAJJ " accompanied by the lovely Fun+1 and Petit Château Teams .

Tickets available at Librairie Antoine all branches or online on the following link www.antoineticketing.com

. Invite 2 of your friends and get the group discount ( 15% )
. Share your Happy moment ( picture of video ) at Petit Château in the discussion below, invite your friends to like it and the winner of the most liked post will be inviting 15 lucky amigos to any session chosen ( Results on the 28th of August )

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